US Buys Wine (Lots), But Misses Wine Culture

Dapper vintner proved California grapes could rival Europe's

(NEWSER) - California wine master Robert Mondavi died peacefully today in his Napa Valley home at age 94, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Disciples and critics alike have praised the vintner for elevating West Coast wine from jug juice to world-class vino. "His legacy and his vision for what California could do remains with us as guidepost and a source of aspiration," one winemaker said. More»

Senate moves to OK booze-by-mail 103 years later

(NEWSER) - The Senate has an idea to help save the Postal Service: Let people mail alcohol. After all, FedEx and UPS carry the stuff all the time. But a law from 1909—established 10 years before Prohibition came into effect—bars the Postal Service from shipping "all spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquors of any kind." Dumping the law, as new Senate-passed legislation would do, could be particularly helpful to the USPS in these days of online shopping, Time reports. More»

Her pinot grigio scores gold medal

(NEWSER) - Celebrities seem to be practically required to launch their own alcohol lines these days, and Drew Barrymore is the latest to enter the game. Her Barrymore 2011 Pinot Grigio, already available in California and coming to New York next month, won a gold medal earlier this month at France's biggest international wine competition, reports the New York Post —which also helpfully reminds us that Barrymore was an admitted alcoholic at the age of 13. More»

New studies address weight issues

(NEWSER) - A wealth of findings offer some new tips to keep off the pounds. Looks like tree nuts, red wine, and plenty of sleep can all help you stay fit.

• Researchers found that nut eaters weighed less and had a lower waist circumference and BMI than those who don't eat nuts, the Daily Mail reports. The snacks may also help fight heart disease.

Legislation could cost heavy drinkers hundreds per year

(NEWSER) - Britain's heaviest drinkers could soon find themselves paying an extra $200 a year for booze. Despite resistance from his health secretary—and despite his own limited-government philosophy—David Cameron is today announcing a plan to set a minimum price of 40p, or about 63 cents, per unit of alcohol, the Guardian reports. The prime minister also plans to bar supermarkets from some bulk deals on drinks. The Guardian found that would raise the price of 20 cans of Stella Artois (the equivalent of 44 units of booze) at one store from $16 to $28. More»